The Red Devils have been struggling in the league so far this season, but their woes would have been compounded without new teenage wonder kid Adnan Januzaj. The 18-year-old has been a revelation with his mature performances, and has taken up the mantle to produce goals when United have been on the back-foot.

The teenager came up against a strong Chelsea side at Stamford Bridge on Sunday but he looked like the best United player on the pitch. With Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie ruled out, the burden fell to Januzaj to provide some sparks and he did particularly in the first half.

Speaking before the Sunday showdown, Mourinho admitted that Chelsea need to take a leaf out of United’s book and start producing their own players like Adnan Januzaj, as Metro report. He said, “He’s a fantastic player, he’s 25 not 18.”

The tricky midfielder joined United from Anderlecht two years ago and finished his football schooling in the United academy. He has followed in the footsteps of Paul Scholes, David Beckham, The Neville’s and Ryan Giggs amongst others who have had marvellous careers of their own.

Mourinho believes Chelsea need to start producing players from their own academy rather than purchasing from around the world. Despite Chelsea boasting a plethora of talented youngsters, none have come from within the academy. The last one to make the grade from the academy is current captain John Terry, who is now 33.

Mourinho said, “John Terry was the last player to come through the academy into the first team and that was not with me, it was before me. That is something very important. It’s something I want to happen.”